How to Create a Killer Keynote
If you’ve ever wanted to captivate a room with your words, impel your audience to action, and maybe even get paid to speak, you need a speech that engages. You need to create a Killer Keynote. In the video below, excerpted from a longer workshop, you will learn the steps to create YOUR Killer Keynote. […]
Breaking the Stage Fright Barrier: 10 Techniques
Have you ever experienced stage fright? You know, the butterflies in the stomach, the shaky hands, sweaty palms, and maybe rapid breathing? It’s not fun. This performance anxiety is common in public speaking and other performance-related activities. Many years ago, when my children were teenagers, I experienced performance anxiety when I wanted to encourage them […]
Top 7 Most-Desired Public Speaking Skills
Do you relate to these public speaking concerns? In the video below, I address the top 7 responses to my recent survey question, What do you most want to improve in public speaking skills?
“I Learned More from My Failures”: My Public Speaking Journey
Impromptu Speaking Book only $0.99 through 2/21/23
“Not only will this book help people improve their public speaking, readers will also improve their personal communications. I particularly liked the chapters on handling difficult situations. Diane offers terrific tips to deal with real-world examples. This book is a must-read for anyone who talks to people — which is everyone!”–Dan Janal “This book provides […]
4 Ways AI Can Improve Your Presentations
Is there anything AI can’t do? Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated the picture at the top, with the prompt, “A cute dog speaking at a conference, digital art.” AI even helped me write this article, in which I give you 4 easy ways that AI can improve your presentations and public speaking skills. The 4 ways […]
Public Speaking Strategies That Work in Healthcare
Public speaking is a skill that every professional, regardless of industry, should master. Whether it’s giving a presentation at work or attending a conference, public speaking requires practice and preparation. What’s more, it can be an intimidating experience for many people who are afraid to speak publicly. But with the right strategies, anyone can overcome […]
“Perfect. Just Perfect.” Twisting a Serious Subject into a Tall Tale
Can death and drugs be funny? That was my question as I created a tall tales speech for a recent Toastmasters Tall Tale Contest. Tall Tales Contest speeches are 3-5 minute speeches in which the subject “must be of a highly exaggerated, improbable nature and have a theme or plot.” My Tall Tales speech (video below), […]
Stop Apologizing So Much!
In one of my favorite TV series, NCIS, one of the leading characters, Jethro Gibbs, lives by a set of rules. Rule #6 is “Never say you’re sorry.” On the show, that rule is often followed by the phrase, “It’s a sign of weakness.” I disagree with the absolute of NEVER saying you’re sorry because sometimes […]
Public Speaking Coaching/Training Online: Challenges & Opportunities (Interview)
I was recently interviewed via email for a student project that addressed some of the challenges & opportunities of coaching/training public speaking online. Below are 8 questions and my responses. My target client is a subject matter expert who wants to speak with greater confidence and clarity. About 80% of my clients fall into this […]